Is this enough supporting evidence for I-134 in Montreal?

[hedgemaze 49]

We're preparing for my fiancée's interview, and I want to make sure our financial paperwork is all in order. I've combed the consulate reviews and this forum, and it seems like they usually don't ask for much there, but I don't want us to be unprepared if they need something more.

 

I'm disabled and my SSDI payments are not enough to qualify to sponsor my fiancée on my own, so we have my aunt, whom I currently live with, as a co-sponsor. We'll both be submitting an I-134 even though hers is the one that matters.

 

For supporting evidence from me, we have:

- Current SSDI Benefit Verification Letter (with 2020 amounts)

- 2021 SSDI Cost of Living increase letter (with new 2021 amounts)

- 2020 1099 (with 2020 SSDI income totals)

- Birth certificate (proof of U.S. citizenship)

 

From my aunt, we have:

- 2020 tax transcript

- 2020 1040
- Birth certificate (proof of U.S. citizenship)

 

My aunt's income is more than enough for our required household size, so we shouldn't need to list assets, bank accounts, etc., but my aunt is retired. Do we need to include any other proof of income besides her taxes?

[SalishSea 17,829]

1 hour ago, hedgemaze said:

We're preparing for my fiancée's interview, and I want to make sure our financial paperwork is all in order. I've combed the consulate reviews and this forum, and it seems like they usually don't ask for much there, but I don't want us to be unprepared if they need something more.

 

I'm disabled and my SSDI payments are not enough to qualify to sponsor my fiancée on my own, so we have my aunt, whom I currently live with, as a co-sponsor. We'll both be submitting an I-134 even though hers is the one that matters.

 

For supporting evidence from me, we have:

- Current SSDI Benefit Verification Letter (with 2020 amounts)

- 2021 SSDI Cost of Living increase letter (with new 2021 amounts)

- 2020 1099 (with 2020 SSDI income totals)

- Birth certificate (proof of U.S. citizenship)

 

From my aunt, we have:

- 2020 tax transcript

- 2020 1040
- Birth certificate (proof of U.S. citizenship)

 

My aunt's income is more than enough for our required household size, so we shouldn't need to list assets, bank accounts, etc., but my aunt is retired. Do we need to include any other proof of income besides her taxes?

So is your aunt actually going to support your fiance for the 8 months or so that she can't work?  

[hedgemaze 49]

4 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

So is your aunt actually going to support your fiance for the 8 months or so that she can't work?  

No, my fiancée and I have savings that we can draw from until she can work in the U.S. My aunt will be able to help us if we need it, though.

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

You'll always be the main sponsor even though you don't fulfill the requirements so your I-134 counts as much as your aunts.

So you'll also need a tax transcript or an explanation as to why you're not required to file taxes.

[hedgemaze 49]

4 minutes ago, Letspaintcookies said:

You'll always be the main sponsor even though you don't fulfill the requirements so your I-134 counts as much as your aunts.

So you'll also need a tax transcript or an explanation as to why you're not required to file taxes.

I know the explanation for no taxes filed is needed for the I-864, but the I-134 as well? In any event, that's fine, and material I'd been trying to gather for the I-864.

 

Again, my only income is SSDI, which is untaxable. What do I need to provide as an explanation? Just a statement, or a circled excerpt from an IRS publication, or something?

[mam521 2,062]

Maybe a silly question, but considering the timelines being nearly the same, why not get married and apply for a CR-1 rather than a K-1?  If your partner is in Canada, then she can still work and enter the US, able to work because she'll have a conditional green card.  

[hedgemaze 49]

22 minutes ago, mam521 said:

Maybe a silly question, but considering the timelines being nearly the same, why not get married and apply for a CR-1 rather than a K-1?  If your partner is in Canada, then she can still work and enter the US, able to work because she'll have a conditional green card.  

We're already at the consulate stage and she'll likely get her interview around January. We applied for the K-1 a year ago, when borders were closed and the CR-1 would have been impossible.

[mam521 2,062]

1 hour ago, hedgemaze said:

We're already at the consulate stage and she'll likely get her interview around January. We applied for the K-1 a year ago, when borders were closed and the CR-1 would have been impossible.

Actually, the CR/IR's were still moving.  I came across when the border was closed.  

 

If she can see her local doctor and make sure she has all of her vaccines in check, the medical will go much smoother, especially if you're anticipating an interview in the early new year.  Take advantage of the Canadian health care benefits while she can!

[hedgemaze 49]

1 minute ago, mam521 said:

Actually, the CR/IR's were still moving.  I came across when the border was closed.  

 

If she can see her local doctor and make sure she has all of her vaccines in check, the medical will go much smoother, especially if you're anticipating an interview in the early new year.  Take advantage of the Canadian health care benefits while she can!

Well no, I mean that because of the pandemic, we weren't able to be in the same country together to get married. In any event, we're almost there now.

 

Right, she's been getting her vaccine records and booster shots now. But do you or anyone else know the answer to my question: do I need to provide more evidence of my retired aunt's income (paperwork from her pension, social security, etc.), or is her tax transcript all Montreal will ask for?

[mam521 2,062]

Just now, hedgemaze said:

Well no, I mean that because of the pandemic, we weren't able to be in the same country together to get married. In any event, we're almost there now.

 

Right, she's been getting her vaccine records and booster shots now. But do you or anyone else know the answer to my question: do I need to provide more evidence of my retired aunt's income (paperwork from her pension, social security, etc.), or is her tax transcript all Montreal will ask for?

The tax transcript is proof that the returns were filed and processed by the IRS.  When we did ours, the form stated to provide the most current filed tax transcript, so we did.  Your aunt's transcript for 2021 should be sufficient.  

 

Make sure she prints out the form, physically signs it, then scans and uploads it.  This is a stupid one that they like to catch people out on.  

[hedgemaze 49]

10 minutes ago, mam521 said:

The tax transcript is proof that the returns were filed and processed by the IRS.  When we did ours, the form stated to provide the most current filed tax transcript, so we did.  Your aunt's transcript for 2021 should be sufficient.  

 

Make sure she prints out the form, physically signs it, then scans and uploads it.  This is a stupid one that they like to catch people out on.  

Thank you!

[WeekendPizzaiolo 47]

On 11/8/2021 at 9:26 AM, mam521 said:

The tax transcript is proof that the returns were filed and processed by the IRS.  When we did ours, the form stated to provide the most current filed tax transcript, so we did.  Your aunt's transcript for 2021 should be sufficient.  

 

Make sure she prints out the form, physically signs it, then scans and uploads it.  This is a stupid one that they like to catch people out on.  

Good advice that ink signatures are needed for the I-134. I do not believe you use CEAC/NVC to upload the main documents (birth certificate, police certificates, I-134, etc.) for a K-1 visa like you would do for a CR-1 or IR-1 visas. For a K-1 visa, the I-134 (not I-864) is used instead and it is submitted if requested by the consular officer at the consulate.